Southern Governors back Value Added Tax collection by states

The Nigerian Governors of the southern states have declared their support for the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) by state governments, with resolution and affirmation on position that the collection of the tax fell within the powers of state governments.

Penpushing reports that, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State made the Governors position known while reading a communique at the end of their meeting held on Thursday in Enugu.

“We resolved to support the position that the collection of VAT falls within the powers of the state. The meeting reaffirmed its earlier commitments to fiscal federalism and emphasised the need to pursue its inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution through the on-going constitutional amendment,’’ he said.

Penpushing further reports that, Akeredolu explained that the meeting reviewed the state of the nation and the progress made in the implementation of the ban on open grazing of cattle in the south of Nigeria.

“The meeting expressed satisfaction with the rate at which states in the south of Nigeria are amending or enacting the anti-open grazing law.This aligns with the uniform template and aspiration of governors in the south and we encourage the states that have yet to enact the law to do so expeditiously’, he said.

“The meeting agreed to encourage the full operationalisation of the already agreed regional security which will share intelligence and collaborate toward the safety and security of the region,’’ he added.

Penpushing also reports that, he emphasised that the Governors were satisfied with the handling of issues surrounding the Petroleum Industry Act and ownership of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation by the larger Nigerian Governors Forum.

“The meeting reiterated its earlier position that the next president of Nigeria will come from the south of Nigeria in line with the politics of equity, justice and fairness,’’ Akeredolu stated.

Penpushing reports that, it is recalled that  some southern states which include:  Rivers and Lagos have already enacted laws to collect Value Added Tax(VAT) while others are in the process of doing so.

The Governors had earlier held meetings in Asaba, Delta State and Lagos, where  they called for ban on open grazing and the shift of presidential power to the south in 2023, among other issues.

Penpushing further reports that, at the Enugu meeting those in attendance include:  Ifeanyi(Enugu) , Nyesom Wike( Rivers), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo ), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).

The Deputy Governors in attendance were Bisi Egbeyemi (Ekiti), Rauf Olaniyan (Oyo), Kelechi Igwe (Ebonyi), Ude Oko-Chukwu (Abia), Philip Shuaibu (Edo), Ivara Esu (Cross River) and Placid Njoku (Imo).,while Anambra State was absent  at the meeting.

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